THE following history has grown out of an Introductory Sketch of the Presidents of the New York State Teachers' Association, inserted in the annual report of that organization for the years 1882. So much delay was experienced in securing the necessary data, that it was decided best to publish the report with the article incomplete, the Secretary inserting a promise to publish separately a complete history of the Association as soon as the requisite materials could be obtained.
In performing this work he has not striven to be exhaustive, but rather to give an accurate account of such matters as seemed to be of the most importance, and such as would present the work of the teachers in the advancement of education in the State.
In reviewing the sessions of the Association, a summary is given of each meeting, and in the later Associations the positions of the various members are presented in regard to the topics discussed. When practicable, the writer's or speaker's own words are used, without comment or criticism, leaving the reader to make his own estimate of the value of the opinions expressed.
Our acknowledgments are due to James Cruikshank, LL.D., for the use of his earlier history, much of which has been incorporated; and we also take the opportunity of thanking C. W. Bardeen for reports and cuts furnished, A. M. Kellogg for valuable material, J. W. Barker for reports, the Hon. John Eaton for reports, former secretaries, and other members and friends of the Association, who have rendered material assistance in the undertaking.